Deciding to bring home a dog or a puppy is a big step in most individual's lives, and is not one that should be made on the spur of the moment. A dog is a living animal, that has both physical and emotional needs, just the same as any other type of pet. Dogs, through selective breeding, have become excellent companions, ideal for families, individuals and even for homes with small children. Understanding the complete commitment to having a dog as a pet will help you in deciding exactly what type of dog you will need, or even if a dog is the best type of pet for you and your family. There are four main areas to consider when deciding if you are prepared to make the necessary commitment to owning a dog. These areas include the emotional commitment you must make, the environmental space and areas you must provide, the training and socialization activities necessary to own a well behaved and well adjusted dog, as well as the dog experience you may or may not have. In order to understand the various aspects of these commitments, it is important to consider them one at a time. [...]

Crate training your Yorkshire terrier is neither punishment nor cruel. The crates provide the Yorkies with a safe place to retreat to and curl up, adjust to new surroundings, sleep, a place to escape confusion, and give the dog a sense of security when left home alone. To many Yorkies, a crate is their own indoor house. For a Yorkie owner, confining their puppy to a crate is a great housetraining aid that gives them peace of mind when sleeping or away. [...]

Affenpinschers are adorable, small dogs and it would be tempting to introduce one into your family as a pet for your young children. Unfortunately, these dogs are not a wise choice for the youngest of family members. In this article, we'll look at a few reasons why the Affenpinscher is not suitable for families with very small children. [...]

Affenpinschers are much loved for their entertaining personalities, but like many of the toy breeds, they can be difficult to housebreak. Finding the right balance of showing these little dogs what is expected of them and what is not allowed can be a difficult task for first time dog owners. Because housebreaking and interacting with other people and animals are the two things that are most challenging for Affenpinschers, we're going to take a look at a few tips for helping these little monkey dogs get settled in your home. [...]

Have you ever considered the idea of entering your Affenpinscher in competition, but the idea of having a "perfect" pet or having impeccable grooming techniques makes the idea overwhelming? Why not try agility competition? This sport is a great option for energetic Affenpinschers and is a great way for owners and their pets to exercise together and have fun while they're at it! In this article, we'll take a look at what agility competition is and why it might be a good idea for you and your Affenpinscher. [...]

If you're looking for a fun, interactive way to exercise and compete with your Affenpinscher, obedience competition might be something for you to look into. For a long time, it was thought that Affenpinschers were not suitable for obedience competition because of their trademark stubbornness, but Affenpinschers are entering more and more in obedience and finding some success. [...]

Socialization is extremely important for Yorkshire terrier puppies as with any breed of dog. Socialization is part of training, teaching, and familiarizing the puppy by acquainting them to new environments or experiences and should continue up to at least age two. This includes interacting with other animals, family members, gentle and calm children, and strangers on an ongoing and steady basis. [...]

Since Affenpinschers are classed as toy dogs, you might be wondering how these tiny bundles of fur can be thought of as aggressive. Like many breeds that are small in size, Affenpinschers think they are bigger than they are and are fearless. They won't think twice about launching themselves at anything they perceive to be a threat, whether it's a stranger in the home or a Great Dane. [...]

Every Yorkie owner knows that they're pet will bark occasionally such as someone coming to the door or at an unusual noise. This is to be expected but when your dog starts excessive barking, that is another story. Whether it is a tiny Yorkshire terrier or a huge Great Dane, excessive barking is annoying and disruptive. [...]

The Afghan hound is known for many things including an attractive appearance, strength and speed and having an incredibly stubborn disposition. It's this last trait that can make housebreaking this breed such a challenge. Here are a few tips to help make it a little easier: [...]

Traveling with your Yorkie can be a fun and enjoyable experience for you and your family. Many people nowadays prefer to take their dog along on family vacations or when they travel instead of putting them in a kennel or having someone pet sit them. Health and safety should be the first priority when planning a trip with your Yorkie. [...]

Afghan hounds are independent thinkers and generally don't care if their actions please you or not. Of course there are exceptions, but this is the general nature of the breed. They are also known for their emotional sensitivity which makes discipline a tricky business. [...]

The appearance and attitude of the Afghan hound can easily lead you to believe that they are very high maintenance dogs. Their long, shiny coats and the aloof manner in which they carry themselves can be almost intimidating to some. Before you make the decision to add an Afghan hound to your family you should consider the amount of work that will be involved. [...]

Many Yorkshire terriers are happy to eat anything placed in a bowl in front of them while others start that way but gradually become discriminating nibblers and finicky eaters. If your Yorkie suddenly goes from being a good eater to a very finicky eater, it could be a sign that your Yorkie is ill so be sure to have your veterinarian examine him to rule out medical problems. [...]

Wheaten Terriers are active dogs with lots of energy, so it's up to owners to train their pets with discipline and love to keep them under control.It is best to begin when a Wheaten is a puppy or it will be more difficult later on. Since Wheatens are fairly intelligent, they can learn to behave easier than some other breeds. First of all, take a firm but loving hold of your pet so he knows you are the boss. Repeat this for about half an hour each day. In the beginning, your puppy will try to struggle free, but just hold on until he settles down. [...]